Guys I need alittle info on the 302 tbi motors. Im getting ready to put one in my truck. Id like to keep the original swap as cheap as possible but while its out is there anything i should look into? I know i want to run equal length headers or long tubes from the start.

How is the wiring for the TBI motors is it gonna be a pain?

 

Ew, TBI? Is there anything wrong with your 4.2? Because honestly I'd keep that over a TBI 302. They're really the redheaded stepchildren of 302s. They had something like 145hp stock and the computers don't like mods. I'd go carb or EEC IV w/mass air if you want a 302.

 

Trimble there not gonna like aftermarket parts ^^^^ like stated. but with the right mods it does, don't let that stop you... stock you'll still make more torque then what your 6'er was making, and thats what gets these things going. Especially for what you got it for.

what year was it?

you could go carbed and do whatever you want, big cam, stroked, anything cheap.

if you stay FI or TBI you'll need a tweecer or something to that sort after you get like a 87-93 5.0 mustang computer, mass air, and supporting mods

 

haha i meant to say that its going to be getting carbed. Im not leaving the TBI on it. The problem with the 4.2L is turning 49" tires in 4' deep mud, it doesnt like it. The 302 has WAY more potential that the 4.2l did.

I believe its a mid 80's but im not exactly sure which year so i dont want to tell yall the wrong year. but ill find out. Ive got plans for a RV cam and lifters. long tube headers and a nice sounding muffler, 40 series flowmasters sound good. But what sounds good on the 5.0 is the question.

but yeah just to clear it up I am replacing the TBI with a 600cfm

 

Stroke it to a 347.

 

that does sound fun, but i want to keep the original swap to as cheap as possible. I decided to go this route becuase i can get the truck up and running for very cheap, then i plan on taking my time building a 351 from the block up. Once the 351 is done ill swap it with the 302 it should be a pretty straight forward swap.

so my plan is to drive the 302 for the time being till the 351 is ready. It will probably take a year or so to get the 351 built the way i want it.

Punisher, what exhaust do you think would sound good on the 302.

 

truck is a 1990

 

I heard dynomax bullets on a 302 and it sounded pretty sweet, but it sounded like a hot rod somewhat.

 

Sounds like a good plan.

I really don't have any experience with exhaust systems on older OHV engines, except for flowmaster. Whatever sounds the best to you is all that matters.

 

I have done this, the most important thing to check is the casting dates on your heads, if you dont have E7TE heads, you need to get some. If you have a roller cam, you should have the better heads. I had an 84 T-bird that I robbed the 302 TBI out of, the 84 heads are around 8.5:1 compression. The E7 heads really woke it up and are cheap to find. Also, you need an older model distributor, the electronic ignition may not work. I have heard the Duraspark ignition module and distributors can be used, but the TFI distributors will not. I used an old points distributor with a Pertonix Ignitor kit. I also plugged the old EGR holes in the back of the heads with the inserts from Trick Flow. A low PSI fuel pump & regulator if you go electric or you need knock out the timing cover for a mechanical pump (you may also need the fuel pump eccentric that bolts to the cam). There are a few other misc things to deal with, but those were the major things that I remember.
Edit - This setup with a 4brl intake, holley 600, good cam and full length headers is much more impressive than the old TBI setup ever was.

 

Truckin I appreciate your post. If you think of anything else please post it.